I hired a company who used Rafael as the electrician. His work was good, however his customer service was horrible. In October of 2016 he started the project and I chased him to come back and fix issues in November/December. He told me he's show up and never did. I had to take time off work for the appointment. I called and he'd never answer. Excuse after excuse which included flying to New York spontaneously for a family emergency...at first I believed him but when he answered his bosses calls and avoided mine...I knew he was full of it. Took til Jan 2016 to have an ESA certificate...such a pain. Save yourself the hassle and go with someone else.

A short version of the review: I would not recommend this company. Please, keep reading for more details.

Good:
* he acts all professional, lots of experience, great taste in house design
* he can be very helpful in the beginning when you make decisions
* electric work is great, the house is very bright and nice (thanks to Sergey)
* stretch ceiling in bathroom is pretty cool
* we like the overall result, even if it is not entirely finished and has flaws (almost did not want to write this one, but I have to be honest)

Bad:
* ignores you when he does not feel it, blocks you if you bother him (but only after you paid a substantial amount of money)
* does not seem to care about smaller things, e.g. scratched corners or floorboards, or even acrylic bathtub, holes in the walls and the kitchen, spots on the walls
* missing deadlines very badly, no way to enforce them according to his typical contract (he never admits his failures, always blaming everybody else, including his sub-contractors, vendors, or even cleaners)
* often not truthful, especially when promising something to be done (cue: if he says "tomorrow" that is not true in 95% of cases)

We hired Rafael (Porevit Inc) to renovate the main floor of our smallish bungalow at the end of September 2016, with the end date set to the end of November 2016 (2 months). The list of things (not very detailed in the contract we signed) includes removing a wall in the kitchen, replacing the floor, windows, inside doors, remodeling the bathroom, and lots of electrical work (new lines, switches, pot lights, etc.) Due to the pretty bad condition of old plywood, there was a separate contract to replace it (to prevent the floor from squeaking.) We ordered a new kitchen (subject to a separate contract.) We were promised that even though the timing is tight, everything will be done in time, so we will be able to move in by the end of November.

We couldn't have been happier in the beginning. Work started, things were moving, Rafael was very professional, and with all the experience he has his suggestions were very reasonable, and the result should have been great. That was until somewhere in October, when all the work suddenly stopped. We would visit the house now and then,– and there would be no changes. We would call Rafael, and he would answer immediately, convince us that everything goes according to the plan, and we are still on schedule.

About two weeks before the end date, we finally started seeing progress. People would come and go, but it started becoming apparent that it won't be ready. We have delayed our moving multiple times by Rafael's request ("we just need one more day," "cleaners did not show up, so it is not ready," "if you give me one more day, I will help you move"). So, in the end, we moved into a house, which had somewhat finished bedrooms and bathroom, but no kitchen (fortunately, we have one in the basement) or living room. That is when we figured that our kitchen was not supposed to have a counter top at all (huge surprise, since in the beginning we asked to install a cheap, simple one temporarily, and he agreed), so we had to order one quickly. During the week after we moved nobody showed up. Rafael did not answer our calls. Then finally things started moving: kitchen was being assembled, light switches and outlets installed, fixing million of small things that were left behind. It was in progress all December, and it came to a livable state before the New Year. Still lots of outstanding issues, both small and big ones, but better than was in the beginning.

December was a tipping point. After being responsive and professional, Rafael started ignoring calls, promising "I will stop by tomorrow," and not coming, and fixing everything with silicone. But at that time we were already so tired of all this, living in the middle of a construction project, spending days waiting for somebody to show up and finally finish the job. Last time we heard from Rafael was December 28 (he texted "can't come today, stuck somewhere else").

Then came January. He does not pick up the phone, does not respond to text messages or voicemails. At the end of January my phone number was blocked and went right to voicemail every time I called. We have received one SMS "Hi, I'm here, will come on Wednesday" on January 23rd. Next reply on February 3rd was "Sasha will stop by the end of the next week." What the heck? So, here we are, with a squeaking floor and many gaps between floorboards, a hole in the floor of the master bedroom (where ventilation should be), the mess of exposed electric wires dangling from the ceiling in the basement, and lots of other small things, and no way to contact our contractor. Unfortunately, we paid almost in full (about $1,000 left, we have never delayed a single payment), so he apparently not interested in finishing this project. Our contract did not define any fees for delays, or requirements for availability, or anything that could protect us from unfairness. Too bad we figured this out only when it was too late.

What now? After all this waiting he finally stopped by on February 13th, his employee replaced lights in one of the closets (one of two), collected list of "things that are not finished", and promised that "tomorrow during the day people will be coming and fixing things one by one." Needless to say, nobody came. Nobody answered my text messages.

This company was hired to remove and replace all electrical wiring, the main panel, and fixtures in my complete demolition and renovation project. Rafael had brilliant design expertise and offered many wonderful suggestions adding to the ambiance of each room. Serge was a pleasure to have around as he was courteous and professional as he worked. The entire team went beyond the call of duty with all aspects of this contract. I am extremely pleased with the professional quality, the additional ideas offered, and both the appearance and functionality of the work completed.

Rafael and his team were a pleasure to hire. Not only did they deliver on promise they did the job fast and efficiently. They provided guidance, proper advice and an extremely professional service. They definitely exceeded all my client needs and did it at a great price. Highly recommend them to anyone looking to do any type of electrical work or renovations on their home!!!

We were fortunate to get Porevit to do electrical and other installations in our new pole dance studio. They helped us to get from a vague idea about lights to a beautiful practical solution, that completely satisfied all aesthetic, functional and safety requirements. They proved great in figuring out how to find solutions for complications of a particular space. They were strictly on budget and very good on time. Rafael went extra mile helping us to get the total project completed after their part was technically all done and paid for. We definitely will work with them again when we need advice or practical help with building or renovating.

“We hired Porevit inc. in 2013 to renovate our basement by recommendation from our neighbour when we lived in Toronto. What a service!!! We’re amazed by instant replies to our numerous questions in the beginning of the project. The work wasn’t finished on exact time but within satisfactory timeframe. The quality was superb. We sold that house in 2015 but we believe that finished basement was the main attraction of that house. Recently, we recommended Porevit to my mother-in-law for pot lights installation and some electrical work. She was so happy with their work, service, and especially at how they respected her house and covered all work areas with protective sheets. Thank you and we’re definitely recommending you to anyone again.” Damir

Dear Damir, thanks so much for your kind words. It was a pleasure to work with you back in 2013. And it was such a pleasure to work with your mother-in-law recently. Thank you for your business and recommendations.

Please please please DO NOT use this company.
I signed a contract with this company for $60,000 to finish my basement and he never finished the work. He promised to start working on my basement the next day so he can take a huge deposit. After he took my money, he brought in workers that weren't licensed even though I told him I want to do everything by the book. He told me it would take months to get a permit so I just let him continue the job cause I didn't want him to delay it since he took a huge deposit already. At first he would do the work so he can take your second payment. As the weeks flew by, he would only work several hours a week. He promised to come and work on the house and doesn't show up after I wasted a whole day waiting for him. He had one excuse after the next why he couldn't come. To make a long story short, it's been 10 months and he only finished half my basement. Luckily for the 3rd payment, I paid with my Visa card so I disputed the charges stating that he took my money and didn't bother to finish the work.
It took Visa 4 months to finally get my money back. So please avoid yourself the headache and avoid this company. He told me he's not scared of lawyers after I threatened to sue him. He didn't pay the designer and the guy that did the drywall and God knows who else. They came knocking on my door looking for him. if you have any questions about this POREVIT please email me at deadlysmiless@gmail.com or text me at (647)494-8162

Tips to follow before hiring a contractor
1) Don't give a huge deposit (try to pay with credit card if possible even if you have to pay the 2% service charge. They can run off with your money anytime if you pay them cash)
2) Specify on the contract when it's supposed to be done and write down that the company will be penalized if they don't finish by that time. Don't let them write down "except for unforeseen causes". With this statement they can take however long they want to finish your project (This advice was given to me by my lawyer)
3)Write everything you want in the contract, nothing verbal
4)Try getting a referral from someone you trust.

Dear Tom from Mississauga:
We're very sorry to see that you had written such a review for our company and overstretched the facts completely.

As you remember we had signed a very detailed written contract with you and your father (we have the signed copy for all interested.) And we had done everything by the contract until you started disputing contract payments and didn’t want to honour the written agreement.

Since the very beginning, the delays in work were always caused by your delayed payments. How do you think the contractors make their living?

Of course we had to stop all work on your basement until you paid us for the work already done and refused to make pre-payments for the custom made materials! Moreover, if you remember or you can look at the contract, we always ask for the clients’ initials after we take payments following the already completed work.

The deposit you are talking about was for the basement finishing and for redoing the 2nd floor washroom, which was in awful condition after two previous contractors left it in awful and unfinished condition. Those contractors, according to your own words, also ran away without completing their work. The bathroom was finished beautifully and was very liked by your whole family and we have pictures to prove it.
The work written in the contract was 85% completed and we don’t understand why you even mention the deposit in your review.

This is an absolute lie that we never paid our dry-wall installers because we always work with the same people who know where our office is, our telephone number, our email and our website. We have all licenses and always hire only licensed professionals. And it was you who wanted to save money by not applying for the renovation permit. We did hire the licensed plumber and all electrical work was done by the licensed electrician with the ESA permit, which had to be closed after you started disputing the contract. As a matter of fact, we have all emails written to you providing you with the plumber’s licenses and notification about the ESA inspections.

Yes, unfortunately the designer wasn’t paid the last installments exactly because her work wasn’t finished as well. If you read the contract carefully, then you see that majority of the designer work was for consultation services and for services after our main work was done. Designer and designer's scope of work as written in the contract dated April 4, 2014:
a) Decorative niches design.
b) TV wall design and finish selection.
c) Kitchen design and finishes selection.
d) Tile selection and design for Kitchen back splash, Basement main area floor, Powder room walls, Guest bathroom walls and floor, Laundry room walls. Floor tile coordination with medallion.
e) Design consultation for selection of vanities for Powder room and Guest bathroom; Light fixtures for Kitchen, TV area, Powder room and Guest Bathroom.
f) Colour consultation: colour and paint finish selection for walls, doors, baseboards and ceiling.
g) Coffered ceiling design and reflected ceiling plan drawing
h) Stretch ceiling finish and colour selection.
i) Drapery fabric selection and design.
j) Basement floor plan design and drawings
k) Site visits.
Items a), b), c), h) and i) were never finished because they weren’t part of our initial contact with you. You didn’t want to include it in the original contract because you and your father wanted to hire someone else for item c).
Item i) was initially agreed to require an additional contract, which was sent for your consideration on August 26, 2014.

We're honest, small business company and we work by recommendations only. As it can be seen from totally overseeing the review you had written. And we were recommended to you as well, if you can recall it.

Tom from Mississauga didn’t sue us because he always knew that we had honored our written contract and the court will be on our side. We never heard any of these allegations from him and never received neither verbal nor written complaint. In order to make a living, we prefer to work with clients who appreciate our work and commitment. We don’t have time
For the last 15 years in this business we never had a client to complain about our work or our honesty. To avoid any accusations and to provide our clients with the details of work to be done, we always sign a detailed contract in which we step by step describe the work to be done and the terms of payments. Yes, sometimes the unforeseen events happen but we always work with our clients to resolve them.

We’re extremely surprised and concerned reading this on the HomeStars as we were never the party to brake the agreement with this particular client. We have all contracts, emails and pictures to prove our case in this particular case. This is a libel and we do take it very seriously.

After a long time I got work done in my home by someone who takes pride in their work. Trust when I say that it is hard to make me happy. When I pay money I expect 100% quality work. If they do a 95% job

I never had to ask Rafael to re-do something or change something. He willing to put in the time it requires to do a very high quality job.

My family room is double story and is 20X15- it was a big job with lots of time spent going up and down scaffolding. No complaints- no shortcuts- honest hard work.

If your sole decision is based on price- you will find cheaper companies. BUT, if you appreciate a craftsman who will make sure every corner is clean and that your hardwood floor is fully protected- then definitely call Rafael.

Dear Shawn, thank you so much for your kind words. We sincerely appreciate your business and it was such a pleasure to work with you for the last 5 years.

The reviews on this page are the subjective opinion of the Author and not of HomeStars Inc.

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More about Porevit Inc.

Porevit Inc. is a full service electrical and home renovation company. We are fully licensed and insured! We take pride in listening to our clients' desires and visions by guiding them into unique yet functional finished product. Areas Served: GTA Toronto Renovator License: T85-4431401 Electrical Contractor Licence: 7011425
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